When golfers head to retailers looking for TaylorMade Golf balls on November 6th they will find three new variations of the company's products.

The 2016 line-up includes updates to the Tour Preferred, Tour Preferred X and Project (a) models. 

TaylorMade calls the '16 Tour Preferred ball their softest tour model and the update includes a change in the SpeedMantle inner layer (this is a four layer ball) that they claim is 65% softer and more flexible than the mantle in the previous generation of the ball. 

The goal was to maintain the performance characteristics of the ball while providing a softer feel.

Additional changes, according to TaylorMade, is that the ball launches higher and spins more off the long irons while maintaining the same distance off the tee and levels of greenside spin as the X model but with a softer feel.

The cover has also been updated for greater durability and a softer feel.

Weighing in with 5 layer construction and an 87 compression (7 points higher than the Tour Preferred model) the '16 Tour Preferred X model golf ball features a thicker cover than the previous edition of the ball. Like the model it replaces it offers lower spin off the tee and a lower iron ball flight, according to TaylorMade.

The Tour Preferred X is the ball played by TaylorMade staffers like recent winner in Hong Kong, Justin Rose, and 2015 RBC Canadian Open champion Jason Day.

Apparently the push for a new Tour Preferred X model was a very extensive process.  

“We developed forty three Tour Preferred X prototypes throughout our exhaustive pursuit to engineer a better golf ball and put them in the hands of our Tour players,” said Eric Loper, TaylorMade’s Director of Golf Ball Development. “They were unanimously drawn to the ball that produced more control around the greens, and that was the new Tour Preferred X. We’re excited by their initial reactions to its performance and look forward to their transition into the new models for the ’15-’16 PGA TOUR season.” 

Amateur golfers were not left out in the new golf ball updates from TaylorMade  The 2016 range for company includes a new Project (a) model. 

Softer than the previous model (70 versus 88 compression) the upgrade is meant to enhance feel and performance for shots of thirty yards and less.

To achieve this TaylorMade says they have reduced the core compression by fifty percent while maintaining the use of a cast urethane cover.

All three models of TaylorMade Golf balls will be available at retail on November 6th.

We have yet to test these products and any claims for their performance is based on information provided by the company.